Makes › Nissan › X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 748,913 MOT tests of cars first registered 2002–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
69.2%pass first time
−0.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 46%of cars
748,913MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan X-Trail passes its MOT first time on 69.2% of tests, 0.7 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (70.0%). That puts it ahead of 46% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2018 X-Trail does best (beats 59% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 41%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Petrol does best (beats 61%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 33%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.3×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.3×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints4.0×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends2.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192087%83%78%69%59%53%51%52%51%
Nissan X-TrailTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2002
Beats 54%
2003
Beats 48%
2004
Beats 54%
2005
Beats 52%
2006
Beats 41%
2007
Beats 42%
2008
Beats 41%
2009
Beats 41%
2010
Beats 37%
2011
Beats 44%
2012
Beats 56%
2013
Beats 59%
2014
Beats 50%
2015
Beats 42%
2016
Beats 41%
2017
Beats 46%
2018
Beats 59%
2019
Beats 45%
2020
Beats 50%
2021
Beats 31%
2023
Beats 83%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2014–2019311,45377.8%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel2007–2018152,52064.2%Beats 47%C
2.2 Diesel2002–2007145,82050.7%Beats 44%C
1.6 Petrol2015–201846,02979.8%Beats 33%D
2.5 Petrol2003–200831,06957.2%Beats 61%B
1.7 Diesel2019–202129,26184.1%Beats 41%C
1.3 Petrol2019–202120,36686.6%Beats 50%C
2.0 Petrol2002–200410,24054.1%Beats 56%C
1.5 Hybrid2023–20232,15590.7%Beats 83%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 12.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.7 ptsTyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.9 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.0 ptsSuspension: 12.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.2 ptsExhaust: 3.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 ptsSuspension: 12.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.7 ptsTyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.9 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.0 ptsSuspension: 12.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.2 ptsExhaust: 3.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 12.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
12.7% vs 9.5%
Brakes
9.7% vs 7.7%
Lights & electrics
8.6% vs 12.3%
Tyres
5.1% vs 7.0%
Visibility
4.6% vs 5.1%
Steering
4.6% vs 2.1%
Body & structure
4.1% vs 3.8%
Emissions & leaks
3.5% vs 3.5%
Seat belts & airbags
1.1% vs 1.3%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension ball joints 4.0× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Track rod ends 2.8× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Brake pads 1.9× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Anti-roll bar links 2.1× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%87%82%74%65%56%51%48%
Nissan X-TrailTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Suspension ball joints6.0%1.5%4.0×
Brake pads4.2%2.2%1.9×
Track rod ends4.0%1.4%2.8×
Windscreen wipers2.6%2.4%1.1×
Sidelights2.6%2.9%0.9×
Tyre damage & cracking2.5%3.7%0.7×
Tyre tread depth2.3%2.9%0.8×
Headlight aim2.3%3.6%0.6×
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8%1.5%1.2×
Anti-roll bar links1.7%0.8%2.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn89.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm40.1
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play36.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen25.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements22.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements22.7
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning20.7
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc18.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Nissan X-Trail1 engine90.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Hybrid2,15590.7%Beats 83%A
2021 Nissan X-Trail2 engines85.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol4,59385.5%Beats 26%D
1.7 Diesel2,22985.8%Beats 42%C
2020 Nissan X-Trail2 engines86.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel10,62685.4%Beats 47%C
1.3 Petrol7,75187.2%Beats 56%C
2019 Nissan X-Trail3 engines84.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel16,40683.1%Beats 37%D
1.3 Petrol8,02286.7%Beats 58%C
1.6 Diesel1,77484.7%Beats 62%B
2018 Nissan X-Trail3 engines83.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel35,09383.9%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel8,86285.1%Beats 69%B
1.6 Petrol8,58381.5%Beats 27%D
2017 Nissan X-Trail3 engines80.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel80,92079.9%Beats 46%C
1.6 Petrol18,74479.6%Beats 27%D
2.0 Diesel17,31382.8%Beats 63%B
2016 Nissan X-Trail2 engines77.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel102,76477.3%Beats 41%C
1.6 Petrol13,84779.0%Beats 36%D
2015 Nissan X-Trail2 engines75.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel67,30274.7%Beats 41%C
1.6 Petrol4,85579.5%Beats 58%C
2014 Nissan X-Trail2 engines72.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel23,60072.2%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel10,05974.4%Beats 62%B
2013 Nissan X-Trail1 engine71.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel13,81171.1%Beats 59%C
2012 Nissan X-Trail1 engine67.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,43067.2%Beats 56%C
2011 Nissan X-Trail1 engine61.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel17,81661.7%Beats 44%C
2010 Nissan X-Trail1 engine56.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel12,15856.7%Beats 37%D
2009 Nissan X-Trail1 engine55.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel17,01855.5%Beats 41%C
2008 Nissan X-Trail2 engines53.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel26,64653.2%Beats 41%C
2.5 Petrol1,02256.8%Beats 46%C
2007 Nissan X-Trail3 engines52.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel23,01052.3%Beats 41%C
2.0 Diesel14,40752.6%Beats 41%C
2.5 Petrol2,41759.1%Beats 57%C
2006 Nissan X-Trail2 engines51.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel42,74150.1%Beats 38%D
2.5 Petrol7,16057.1%Beats 57%C
2005 Nissan X-Trail2 engines52.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel38,48551.7%Beats 50%C
2.5 Petrol8,90857.3%Beats 62%B
2004 Nissan X-Trail3 engines52.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel25,92950.9%Beats 51%C
2.5 Petrol7,01456.8%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol1,64353.6%Beats 56%C
2003 Nissan X-Trail3 engines50.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel12,86447.5%Beats 41%C
2.5 Petrol4,54856.8%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol3,85652.9%Beats 51%C
2002 Nissan X-Trail2 engines52.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,74155.3%Beats 60%B
2.2 Diesel2,79147.7%Beats 42%C

FAQ

What is the Nissan X-Trail MOT pass rate?

69.2% of MOT tests on the Nissan X-Trail were passed first time, based on 748,913 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2002–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.0% of the time.

Is the Nissan X-Trail reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 46% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan X-Trail year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2018 X-Trail does best for its age and mileage: it beats 59% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 41%.

Which Nissan X-Trail engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Petrol does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 33%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Nissan X-Trail?

The most common failure items are suspension ball joints, brake pads, track rod ends. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 4.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.